Go with the flow in Viedma

5 February 2010, Viedma (Argentina)

Viedma is set on tranquil Rio Negro. Its green riverbanks are a welcome change from the dry Patagonian desert. Across the river is a historic town: Carmen de Patagones with pretty colonial buildings. During our stay there is an international Open Water Swimming competition: 10 Km of swimming in the river. Some of the athletes competing are olympic athletes (there is even a women from Switzerland). Many stay in our hotel and we see them at breakfast. During the race, the river bank is filled with spectators supporting the swimmers.
We like this relaxed riverside town a lot: great climate, good food, and buckets of cheap ice cream! We hang out by the river and even take a refreshing dip.

Nearby is one of the biggest parrot colonies in the world: 35,000 Burrowing Parrots nest in cliffs along a beach. But when we visit, most of them seem to have left - the nesting season ended a few weeks ago. Nevertheless, we spot dozens of these pretty birds.

Viedma pictures here.